Reborn in Pain and Fury

Eva’s POV

“Make the waist tighter.” Melinda Whitpress orders, flicking her pink manicured fingers around my body frame.

The designer's eyes widened, her pupils dilating with fear on my behalf. If she makes the waist any tighter, it's likely I gasp to death within seconds.

I don't react though. I'm used to Melinda's overbearing attitude and getting her way. After all, I escaped from the womb of a woman like her.

“I don't think that is necessary.” Kathryn, the designer, says, coming to my rescue.

Melinda tuts. “Nonsense. A Whitpress bride has to show all her curves.”

Kathryn doesn't have to say a word. I know exactly what is running through her mind. It's the same running through mine. I don't have any curves to show, thanks to the rigorous diet Melinda put me on a few days after the engagement.

“But,” Kathryn says.

Melinda raises a finger, her perfect face crumpled into cracks. She isn't used to being interrupted. “Is she complaining?” She turns to me. “Do you think I'm being ridiculous, dear?”

As if I can ever tell my soon-to-be mother-in-law that she is ridiculous. Asides that, I wasn't raised to be disagreeable.

I shake my head.

Melinda smiles as if I've handed her the moon. “That's my girl.” She turns to Kathryn, her voice harsher. “Now, do as I say. It's a Whitpress wedding and I have to show everyone how elegant my daughter-in-law is.”

Kathryn moves closer, wrapping her taperule around me with fear as if she holds a snake in her hand. “It's not my fault if the gown tears on the wedding day.”

She doesn't have to worry about that. It's likely that I pass out and slump to death for lack of oxygen before even getting to the altar.

What a spectacle that will be.

I can picture Melinda and Margaret, my mother, taking turns to scream in a dramatic fashion that will impress Broadway.

I keep my amusement to myself, the same way I'm pretending not to be getting dizzy already.

“I wonder where Tony is.” Melinda sighs, staring out of the window as if he will miraculously show up. “He keeps postponing his fitting. I tell him to stop working too much but he won't listen.”

I smile at the thought of Tony; my husband-to-be, the man I've had a crush on for seven years, and engaged to for a year.

Finally, the fitting comes to a close and I almost pass out in relief when Kathryn undoes the one million buttons on the gown and allows me to change.

“I still think you should dye your hair for the wedding, dear.” Melinda says, eyeing my red hair with distaste.

I cringe, hating her constant desire to change everything about me. I love my hair but love my parents more and know how important this wedding is to them.

With the wedding, dad can finally get the merger he has wanted for years, pay off his debts without declaring bankruptcy, and afford my sister's piling medical debts.

I refuse to think of Ava, my younger sister, wasting away because of the accident she had three years ago. I blink, putting a mental block on my mind before I unlock the volatile dam in my eyes.

If there is anything that annoys Melinda more than my red hair, it's tears.

“Anything you say,” I say, resigned.

The fate of the family rests on your head. My mum's words echo in my head.

*****

“I will have that cake.” I smile as I point at a vanilla cake.

Anita frowns and looks at me as if I made a mistake. “That?”

I nod. “Please, pack it for me.”

“You don't like vanilla.” She reminds me.

Because it's not for me. I wave at her not to bother and pack the cake. Everyone thinks I like vanilla cake as expected of an Asherville. She is the only one who knows and keeps my secret of indulging in chocolate cakes.

Mum says eating chocolate cake isn't befitting for an elite lady. I believed her as a kid but realized as I grew up that it was because she hates the taste.

I'm nervous as shit and decide to call Eve for some moral support. She doesn't pick. I sigh, hating that my twin and best friend is busy at the moment I need her the most.

I'm finally having sex with Tony. I've dreamt of the day for years since I laid eyes on him in high school.

I imagine how the scene will go. He will be surprised and delighted to see me. I will push the cake present into his hands. He will smile and ask what we are celebrating. I will say the start of forever in two weeks. He will laugh and pull me in with a kiss. We will drink wine and feed on the cake while I secretly hope he will feed on me later.

I'm too shy to imagine the next scene but I hope Tony will know what to do. Especially when I intentionally cross my legs to push the slit on my gown higher.

My legs shake as I make my way to his penthouse apartment but I maintain an elegant walk.

Margaret Asherville, my mother, will squirm and cringe with distaste if she sees me at the moment.

An Asherville is always to maintain her pride.

I can practically hear her one thousand and one lessons screaming in my head.

They do no good for my nerves. I hear my heart beating loudly and tell myself it's because of anticipation of what is to come. The door is locked but I can tell that he is inside. His car is right outside. Instead of pressing the doorbell, I let myself in.

I head straight to his bedroom with a silent chuckle, finding it cute how much he loves to sleep. I drop the cake box and my bag on the table in his living room. I remove my heels and walk to his bedroom, smirking at the thoughts in my head.

Change of plans. I will kiss him awake from his sleep and he will take it from there.

I hear voices as I draw nearer to the bedroom and pause, trying to guess who is in there with him. Tony is a social butterfly and I hate that he chose to have company at that moment.

Of all days, he chose today to play games with one of his numerous friends?

I'm about to press the doorknob when I hear something I shouldn't.

“Oh! I missed a call.”

The voice doesn't sound like Tony's. I know that voice. It's one I've had registered in my brain for over two decades.

I hope I'm wrong.

Tony chuckles. “Hope it isn't important?”

“It's Eva.”

“Call her back.”

“And tell her I was busy banging the hell out of her fiance?”

Tony laughs but he sounds nervous. “You know you won't.”

“You say you want me but you won't do anything to claim me.”

He huffs out in frustration. “Who says I'm doing nothing to claim you? All I need is time and I've told you that already. I need to be with Eva because my father wants to be an in-law to his childhood friend, and marrying that girl is the only way to be his heir. I honestly don't know why the daughter-in-law he wants couldn't be you since he will be an in-law to his friend anyway.”

I know the answer, and it breaks my heart.

Tony continues, unaware of the darkness slowly claiming my heart. “As soon as I'm announced as the heir, I will divorce her and make my relationship with you public.”

Wow. What a genius plan.

And what a scandal.

I doubt Eve cares though. She has always lived for the thrill, adventure and danger while I've always lived for… I come up blank.

I want to clap for him but my hands are busy clenching hard against themselves.

“Really?” She sounds delighted.

“Have I ever lied to you? It's you I want, not Eva. She is beautiful and smart but that is all there is to her.”

“I'm wet.” She laughs.

Bitch. The curse rings out in my head and I see my mother frowning at me.

An Asherville doesn't curse. Except the black sheep, Eve.

I've always loved her regardless of how much my parents pretend she doesn't exist in their lives.

I can't believe this is the freaking thank you I get.

“Let's get lunch.” He laughs. “You've burned up my reserve of energy.”

What a pair of hardworking assholes.

I will my legs to move but I'm not fast enough. The door opens and the two pause as they walk out, their eyes widening at the sight of me.

“Eva,” Tony gasps, flushing with guilt.

He reaches for me out of habit and I recoil with annoyance at the same time Eve hisses and pulls him back. He glances at her and sighs, exasperation thick and visible on his face.

“Have a lovely life, Tony Whitpress.” I say and run out of the house, tears blinding my vision as the gaping hole in my heart threatens to swallow me whole.